By Media Selangor Team
SHAH ALAM, March 4 — Seven Selangor students stranded in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, following the recent Middle East conflict are now being assisted by Malaysian authorities and are in the process of being relocated back to Jordan.
Menteri Besar Dato' Seri Amirudin Shari said the state government is closely monitoring the situation and remains in contact with Malaysian officials in Jeddah to ensure the students’ safety and smooth return to Jordan.
According to Amirudin, the students, who are currently pursuing their studies in Jordan, had entered Saudi Arabia to perform their umrah and was scheduled to return to the Hashemite Kingdom on February 28.
However, the ongoing Middle East conflict left them stranded.
"A representative of the Selangor government has been in contact with Hijaz Ramli, a consular officer at the Consulate General of Malaysia in Jeddah.
"Praise be to God, all the students were accommodated at the consulate general's office for one night before being transferred to a nearby hotel for two days while awaiting arrangements to return to Jordan by land, via bus, on March 3 at 10.30 am Jeddah time (3.30pm Malaysian time).
"The journey back is expected to take approximately 24 hours to reach their destination," he said in a Facebook post today.
In addition to the seven Selangor students, Amirudin said 12 other Malaysian students in Jordan are also facing the same situation.
"The Selangor government extends its appreciation to the Consulate General of Malaysia in Jeddah for the mobilisation efforts and protection provided to all the affected students."
The Middle East conflict began on February 28 when the United States and Israel launched major air and missile strikes on Iran, targeting military sites and leadership, including its Supreme Leader, as part of what they say are efforts to curb military capabilities and nuclear threats.
In response, Iran has carried out widespread missile and drone attacks against Israeli territory and US military facilities in Gulf states.
